Want to attend a US service academy? Connolly to sponsor info night April 20

Congressman Gerry Connolly is partnering with Prince William County Public Schools to host his annual “Military Service Academy Night” for area students interested in attending one of the Service Academies.  Students may also attend to learn about scholarships from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

The program will take place on Monday, April 20,  at Freedom High School, located at 15201 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191.  The program will begin at 7 PM and will feature presentations from Academy Liaison Officers and ROTC representatives and a detailed explanation of the Congressional nomination process.  The Service Academies and ROTC programs will also have representatives at informational booths to address attendees’ individual questions.

“Each year, hundreds of students and parents attend our Service Academy Night in Prince William.  The demand for this information is high due in part to the large demographic of military families in the area and the competitive nature of the appointment process,” Connolly said.

Nominations to the Service Academies are made by the President, Vice President or a Member of Congress.  There are five Service Academies: The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), The United States Naval Academy (USNA), The United States Military Academy (USMA), The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), and the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA).  Nominations are required for all but the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, to which appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition.

“These young men and women are answering the call to serve and this event gives them the information and tools they need to be successful applicants to the Service Academies,” Connolly said.

Congressman Connolly has established Service Academy Advisory Panels comprised of current and former military officers, academy graduates, and former academy admissions officers who evaluate the qualifications of student applicants.  These panels make merit-based recommendations to Connolly for nominations to the service academies.